The Effects of Running Foot Strike Manipulation on Pelvic Floor Muscle Activity in Healthy Nulliparous Females.

Vertical loading rate (VLR) and pelvic floor muscle activity (PFA) increase with running velocity, which may indicate a relationship between VLR and PFA. Foot strike pattern has been shown to influence VLR while running, but little is known about its influence on PFA. Twenty healthy women ran on a treadmill for 2 conditions: with a rearfoot strike and with a forefoot strike.

Factors Related to Expectations in Individuals Waiting for Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Purpose: There is no consensus on how age and expectations influence planning for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study developed and evaluated a new expectation questionnaire and assessed the relationship between preoperative expectations and patient characteristics.

Method: The questionnaire evaluated expectations for mobility, pain, participation, and rate of recovery after surgery.

Shoulder muscle force and electromyography activity during make versus break tests.

Background: Shoulder muscle force is commonly assessed during clinical examination using both an isometric "make" test against a fixed resistance or a "break" test where the examiner exerts enough force to break the isometric contraction. The purpose of this study was to explain the difference in force produced during these two forms of testing.

Methods: Data were collected on 25 subjects.

The effect of extension assist orthosis with pneumatic bladders on pain and function for patients with early knee osteoarthritis.

Background: There are few non-invasive treatment options to slow the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Recently, a novel knee unloader brace with knee extension assist has become commercially available. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of using a novel unloader brace with extension assist to improve pain and functional outcomes for patients with knee OA.

PROGRESSIVE REHABILITATION AFTER TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: A PILOT AND FEASIBILITY STUDY.

Background: The incidence of total hip arthroplasty (THA) has increased, due in part to younger individuals undergoing the procedure. Surgical techniques and biomaterials have improved, but rehabilitation has not kept pace with the needs of a changing demographic.

Hypothesis/purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a progressive strengthening and functional retraining intervention after THA.

The contralateral knee may not be a valid control for biomechanical outcomes after unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Although unilateral symptoms and unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are common, many patients have bilateral radiographic osteoarthritis (OA). Because the contralateral (non-operated) limb is often used as a comparison for clinical and biomechanical outcomes, it is important to know if the presence of OA influences movement patterns in either limb.

Research Question: The purpose of this study was to compare bilateral sagittal plane biomechanics between subjects with and without contralateral knee OA after unilateral TKA.

The effect of surgical approach on gait mechanics after total hip arthroplasty.

Background: Few studies have compared the biomechanical outcomes of different surgical approaches for hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to compare hip, pelvic, and trunk kinematics and kinetics between individuals who underwent a posterior or anterolateral approach.

Methods: Forty-five individuals between 40 and 80 years old underwent motion analysis during overground gait prior to hip arthroplasty and 3 months after surgery.

A SIX-WEEK SUPERVISED EXERCISE AND EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION AFTER TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: A CASE SERIES.

Background And Purpose: Most rehabilitation interventions after total hip arthroplasty (THA) are not designed to return patients to high-levels of physical activity and, thus, low levels of physical activity and residual weakness are common. The purpose of this case series was to describe the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an exercise and education intervention for patients after THA who have already completed formal outpatient physical therapy.

Study Design: Case series.

The Effect of Surgical Approach on Strength and Function after Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: Although total hip arthroplasty (THA) has become standard procedure to manag the symptoms of end-stage osteoarthritis (OA), there are multiple surgical approaches to acceE the hip joint. To date, there is limited information on the effect of surgical approach on muscle strength and performance-based measures of functional ability after THA.

Questions/purposes: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of posterior or anterolateral surgical approaches on strength and function after THA.